Author: chicagoinquirer

by The Associated Press Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter on Monday backed a proposed fan boycott of World Cup matches in the United States because of the conduct of President Donald Trump and his administration at home and abroad. Blatter was the latest international soccer figure to call into question the suitability of the United States as a host country. He called for the boycott in a post on X that supported Mark Pieth’s comments in an interview last week with the Swiss newspaper Der Bund. Pieth, a Swiss attorney specializing in white-collar crime and an anti-corruption expert, chaired the…

by Andrew Seligman LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — The Chicago Bears thrilled the city in coach Ben Johnson’s first season. They pulled out one comeback win after another on their way to capturing the NFC North championship after finishing last in the division. They advanced in the playoffs for the first time in 15 years by rallying to beat Green Bay in a wild-card game before losing an overtime thriller to Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams in the divisional round. Now, it’s time to start building on everything they accomplished. Then again, maybe building isn’t the right word.…

Mike Catalini and Steve Karnowski WASHINGTON (AP) — Two federal officers fired shots during an encounter that killed ICU nurse Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, a Customs and Border Protection official told Congress in a notice sent Tuesday. The notice said one Border Patrol officer fired his Glock and a CBP officer fired his, according to a notification to Congress obtained by The Associated Press. Investigators from CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility conducted the analysis based on a review of body-worn camera footage and agency documentation, the notice said. The agency is required to report in-custody and certain other deaths involving…

by Dyepazah Shibayan ABUJA, Nigeria — A group of Nigerian military officers will stand trial for allegedly plotting to overthrow the West African nation’s government, the Nigeria Defense Headquarters said Monday, citing findings from an investigative panel. At least 16 officers were arrested in October over what military authorities described as “acts of indiscipline and breaches of service regulations.” The arrests, added to local media reports of a failed coup, had caused tensions in a region already faced with a string of coups. An investigation into the officers’ conduct was concluded and revealed a coup plot against President Bola Tinubu…

by Andrew Seligman CHICAGO  — Matthew Stafford and Sean McVay shot knowing glances at each other, then went to work on the drive that got the Los Angeles Rams one step away from the Super Bowl. Stafford and the Rams survived an incredible throw by Caleb Williams that forced overtime, beating the Chicago Bears 20-17 on Sunday night to advance to the NFC championship game. Harrison Mevis kicked a 42-yard field goal in OT after Kam Curl intercepted a deep pass by Williams on the Bears’ first possession of the extra period. Stafford glanced at his coach prior to the…

by Jack Brook and Sarah Raza MINNEAPOLIS — The mayor of Minneapolis said Sunday that sending active duty soldiers into Minnesota to help with an immigration crackdown is a ridiculous and unconstitutional idea as he urged protesters to remain peaceful so the president won’t see a need to send in the U.S. military. Daily protests have been ongoing throughout January since the Department of Homeland Security ramped up immigration enforcement in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul by bringing in more than 2,000 federal officers. Three hotels where protesters have said Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers were staying…

by Jay Cohen CHICAGO — Caleb Williams’ last throw in regulation was a backpedaling, fourth-down rainbow that landed in Cole Kmet’s hands in the corner of the end zone for a breathtaking touchdown. His last throw of the game was the beginning of the end for Chicago’s surprising season. Williams almost rallied the Bears to another memorable win on Sunday night. But he threw his third interception in overtime and Matthew Stafford drove the Los Angeles Rams to Harrison Mevis’ winning field goal in a 20-17 victory in the divisional round of the playoffs. “It’s tough. In these moments, you…

by Andrew Seligman LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Down by 11 and facing a fourth-and-8 in their own territory late in last week’s wild-card game, the Chicago Bears needed a big play from Caleb Williams. He had a Michael Jordan moment. Williams’ spectacular throw to Rome Odunze kept a touchdown drive going and helped the Bears rally to beat the Green Bay Packers 31-27 after trailing by 18 on Saturday night. Now, after winning a playoff game for the first time in 15 years, Chicago faces another big challenge. The Bears host Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams in the…

CHICAGO (AP) — Nikola Vucevic made a tiebreaking layup with 4 seconds remaining, and the Chicago Bulls overcame Brice Sensabaugh’s career-high 43 points to beat the Utah Jazz 128-126 on Wednesday night. Vucevic scored 35 points to lead the Bulls, who had five reserves finish in double figures. Isaac Okoro was the only other starter in double figures with 12 points for a Bulls team playing without Josh Giddey because of strained left hamstring. Sensabaugh scored 21 in the first quarter, the most by a player off the bench in the period since play-by-play tracking for all four quarters began…

by Steve Karnowski, Alanna Durkin Richer and Hallie Golden MINNEAPOLIS — A federal officer shot a man in the leg in Minneapolis after being attacked with a shovel and broom handle, further heightening the sense of fear and anger radiating across the city a week after an immigration agent fatally shot a woman in the head. Smoke filled the street Wednesday night near the site of the latest shooting as federal officers wearing gas masks and helmets fired tear gas into a small crowd while protesters threw rocks and shot fireworks. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said during a news…